FIFA’s proposal to sell a minority stake in the commercial rights to the World Cup and other major tournaments has met with sharp resistance from two of its most powerful continental confederations.
UEFA and CONCACAF have voiced strong opposition to the plan, which would see the global governing body sell a 20% stake to private investors in a deal valued at more than $4 billion.
The backlash intensifies scrutiny on FIFA’s governance reforms and its strategy to monetize its intellectual property portfolio.
The transaction would mark a significant shift in how the world’s most valuable sports IP is managed, moving away from a purely not-for-profit model toward a hybrid structure with private equity involvement.
Critics argue that selling stakes in core competitions could compromise the integrity of the sport and dilute the influence of member associations.
The controversy comes as FIFA seeks to raise capital for future tournaments and infrastructure projects, but the pushback from key stakeholders suggests the path forward is fraught with political and structural challenges.